Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes. Gosh, they can be a pain, can't they? Even the good ones. As humans, we love to maintain the status quo. But without change there is no growth. This month, let's gather some inspiration from those who have made changes for the better.

Donna's Book Pix: Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron Artist's Way leads readers through a comprehensive 12-week program to recover their creativity from blocks like fear, self-sabotage, jealousy, and guilt. During that time readers will partake of two ongoing activities: morning pages and artist's dates. Morning pages are three pages of writing, performed daily, about anything at all. This exercise overcomes the writer's internal censor and makes writing habitual, according to Cameron. The artist's date is a weekly block of two hours spent observing and experiencing. The book is essential reading for people with creative inclinations who are looking for something to help free and activate their creative juices.

Cool Nursing Web Site:
Nightingale Policy Group
In May 2006, five women banded together to launch the Nightingale Policy Group, a virtual organization intended to help nurses involved in public policy network with one another, as well as mentor future policy leaders. The group plans to educate a broad base of healthcare professionals about the policy and political processes that govern their practice and their patient's wellness.

If you have a cool nursing web site you'd like to share, please send it to me at editor@dcardillo.com.

What's Donna Blogging About?
Networking, Office of the National Nurse, Universal Healthcare, Supporting our Military Nurses, and more.

Career Article:
How to Change Specialties
While a small number of nurses retire from the same specialty in which they first started out, most are likely to change specialties once or more in their professional life. And why not? One of the great things about nursing is that there are so many different paths to take. But rather than blindly jumping from specialty to specialty, take some time to be introspective and do some research to find the right spot. Here are some tips for exploring your options, deciding where to go, and being successful once you make the change. Read more.

News You Can Use:
New Institute for Healthcare Improvement Initiative
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement has launched the 5 Million Lives Campaign, challenging hospitals nationwide to protect patients from 5 million incidents of medical harm over the next two years. The campaign will promote adoption of a dozen improvements that address major sources of patient harm — infection, adverse drug events, surgical complications, and pressure ulcers.

The new campaign's predecessor — the 100,000 Lives Campaign of improving quality of care through six interventions — reduced inpatient deaths by some 122,000 at 3,100 participating hospitals over an 18-month period.

Quote of the Month:
Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.
— Arnold Bennett

Entrepreneur Spotlight:
Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio, RN, PhD, is owner of Educational Enterprises, an education, consulting, and seminar company. Since 1984, she has provided programs (including nursing education vacations) on subjects related to emergency and critical care nursing, including CEN and CCRN review courses. Laura has also created numerous products for nurses and consumers, including books, tapes, and t-shirts.

Laura, past president of the National Nurses in Business Association, is a legend in the nursing world. From 1989 to 1999, she published Revolution, The Journal of Nurse Empowerment under A.D. Von Publishing. She organized the Nurses March on Washington in 1995 and 1996. And she has appeared on national talk shows and news programs.

Here's Laura's story in her own words: "I was working as a full time staff nurse in one hospital and as part time staff in another — working like a dog. [It was] so busy that [I was] unable to do anything the way it should be done. I was not giving the best care that patients should receive. I verbalized and [got] labeled a 'troublemaker.' I was being constantly counseled for my 'bad attitude.' I was feeling smothered and questioning my behavior. But then it struck me: I'm OK — everybody else is crazy. So I decided to do something for my well being. I started a business! The first company I started was CPR Associates (1984-1992), teaching CPR to companies. The first year I had 25 employees and made $240,000. It was great! I still worked full time in the hospital, but the success of my business made me more confident, walk taller, hold my head up higher, and fear no one!"

Laura's advice to others considering business ownership: "Go for it! Have a vision and move forward! Do your homework: Look at the competition and learn from them. Don't doubt yourself. Don't ask too many questions or ask for too much advice. There are lots of negative people out there who will knock you down. Do things your way!"

To learn more about Laura, her business, her programs, and her products, visit www.greatnurses.com.

Come Meet Donna:

Nurse Power!™
Learn to Speak With Style
Nursing Spectrum Career Fair
March 2, 2007 - Melville, NY

Seminar Double Header
Career Alternatives For Nurses®
How to Start Your Own Business or Consulting Practice
March 5- 6, 2007 – Atlantic City, NJ

Going for the Brass Ring
Nursing the Next Generation
US Military Healthcare Conference
March 11-15, 2007 - Bad Kissingen, Germany

Induction Ceremony Address
Omicron Pi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International
April 15, 2007 - Woodbridge Hilton, Iselin, NJ

Nurse Power!™ - Keynote
Take Your Career to the Next Level
Nursing: The Next Generation
Nursing Symposium 2007
April 16, 2007 - Foxwoods Resort & Casino in CT

For additional program info visit http://www.dcardillo.com/events.html.

Book Donna Today
Planning a convention, educational conference, or leadership training program? Looking for a speaker for a new graduate orientation program, student nurse luncheon, or recruitment event? Donna has a program to meet your needs. Don't miss the opportunity to bring the country's leading career management expert and motivational speaker for nurses to your event. Call 800-801-5796 or e-mail at donna@dcardillo.com for rates, availability, and program topics. Fill out an inquiry form if you prefer.

Your 1^st Year As A Nurse Ordering Information
Order a personalized, autographed copy of Your 1^st Year as a Nurse directly from Cardillo & Associates. It makes a great personal or professional gift.

For colleges and healthcare facilities, Your 1^st Year as a Nurse can be purchased at a bulk discount from online booksellers and directly from the publisher. Contact us for more information at 800-801-5796.

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